Circular kite

ABSTRACT

A kite is disclosed of generally circular outline with a circular frame composed of bowed wood dowels connected by tubular sleeves, and with adjustable radial guy lines extending to a central connector. A strong waterproof cover is provided for the frame with overlapping edges and snap fasteners. Bridle strings attached to the frame extend to a bridle lock for adjustment of the lengths of the bridle strings and thereby the angular tilting of the covered frame, the bridle lock having a leader to which the kite string is attached. A stabilizing tail of generally Yshape is attached to the frame and may have drogues attached thereto. The kite is adapted to be made up in kit form for assembly and disassembly and is preferably stored in a carrying case when not in use.

United States Patent [191 Cornelison, Jr.

[ 1 Nov. 11, 1975 1 CIRCULAR KITE [22] Filed: Nov. 25, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 526,913

D34/15 AF; 46/77; 24/136 K, 136 L, 136 R, 115 N, 122.6; 403/211, 215, 216

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 671,865 4/1901 Mowrer 244/153 R 923.181 6/1909 Jackson 244/155 R 1,609,569 12/1926 Nakata 244/15'3 R 3,073,556 1/1963 Smokowski 244/153 R 3,330,512 7/1967 Null 244/153 R 3.740.009 6/1973 Curtis 244/153 R FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATlONS 260,598 10/1928 ltaly 403/216 847,000 9/1960 United Kingdom... 1.410.380 8/1965 France .1 403/216 11/1970 Canada 244/153 R Primary E.\'unzinerTrygve M. Blix Assistant Examiner-Galen L. Barefoot Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Zachary T. Wobensmith, 2nd; Zachary T. Wobensmith, 111

[57] ABSTRACT A kite is disclosed of generally circular outline with a circular frame composed of bowed wood dowels connected by tubular sleeves, and with adjustable radial guy lines extending to a central connector. A strong waterproof cover is provided for the frame with overlapping edges and snap fasteners. Bridle strings attached to the frame extend to a bridle lock for adjustment of the lengths of the bridle strings and thereby the angular tilting of the covered frame, the bridle lock having a leader to which the kite string is attached. A stabilizing tail of generally Y-shape is attached to the frame and may have drogues attached thereto. The kite is adapted to be made up in kit form for assembly and disassembly and is preferably stored in a carrying case when not in use.

10 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures United Kingdom 244/153 R US. Patent N0v.11, 1975 Sheet1of2 3,918,663

U.S. Patent Nov.11,1975 Sheet20f2 3,918,663

CIRCULAR KITE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to kites and more particularly to a kite of generally circular shape which can be readily assembled and disassembled and stored in kit form.

2. Description of the Prior Art Various types and shapes of kites have heretofore been proposed, including those which can be collapsed or disassembled when not in use.

Davis, in U.S. Pat. No. 490,949, shows a star shaped kite in which a kite frame with centrally pivoted ribs is provided, covered by fabric with reinforced edges and with corners secured at the outer ends of the ribs by cords, the cover preferably being permanently secured to one rib at its end and detachably secured to the ends of the other ribs. A flying bridle is provided the cords of which extend through the fabric cover and which are secured to the ribs inwardly of their ends. Two flying lines are shown, one on each side, to which the bridle lines on each side are connected. A tail is provided for stabilization. The bridle cords are shown as of fixed length with no provision for adjustment or compensation.

Moreira, in U.S. Pat. No. 1,189,206, shows a kite of generally octagonal outline with a kite frame of very thin and light wood sticks centrally pivoted, and a paper or fabric covering posted, sewed or otherwise secured over outer or peripheral cords and inner cords. The main bridle cords are connected to the frame members and are connected together at a common point to which the main cable or cord is attached. The bridle cords connected with the lower ends of the frame members are described as of greater length than those connected to the upper ends of the frame members so that in flight the kite takes a position in which the lower end is disposed slightly backwardly at an angle. A tail is provided to maintain the proper balance and prevent dipping.

Hutson, in U.S. Pat. No. 2,804,276 (U.S. Pat. No. Re. 24,542), shows a kite with a parachute like body of flexible plastic material with the rim drawn in to provide a semi-spherical shape. The body has a centrally connected draw string and shroud lines connected to the rim of the body at spaced points. The shroud lines and draw string are connected at a common point spaced from the body, the shroud lines in one form being dimensioned to progressively increase in length downwardly along the sides to provide an angle of inclination of the body of about 22. A tail is connected at the bottom.

In another form the shroud lines are all made the same length and the point of attachment of the draw string is shifted to produce the desired angle in flight between the axis of the hollow body and the draw string.

In another modification another and longer shroud line can be employed for controlled deformation of the body to provide a lifting effect with air spill out.

Bodell, in U.S. Pat. No. 2,632,614, shows a flying saucer kite. A rigid frame is shown of double conical form, the cones being relatively flatwith, coincident bases and are slightly truncated at their vertices. Vertex discs rigidly connected to a central spacer pin have radially outwardly extending struts connected to a circular ring by cementing or with short sleeve sections. A cover is provided on one side of the frame which is imperforate except for a single aperture bisected by a stabilizing fin and truss. A bridle fixedly connected to the anchoring line is fixedly connected to the underside of the kite at three equally spaced points to the peripheral ring and to the central hub.

Smokowski, U.S. Pat. No. 3,073,556 shows a kite consisting of a pair of circular sheets of flexible light weight material joined along their circumferential edges and stiffened by arcuate bows of light flexible material such as willow, the bows being joined by tubular ferrules. The sheets are preferably spaced at their central portions by a toy rubber balloon to form a pair of obtuse cones. Shroud lines may be tied to each of the ferrules and connect jointly with the tethering lines.

For knockdown the bows are disconnected at each ferrule and the structure is then folded.

Resnick, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,100,895, shows a folding kite with radial ribs collapsible similar to the folding of a conventional umbrella. A V-shaped bridle string is illustrated, the apex of which is connected by a knot to a pilot string and main string, the knot being slidable therealong.

The kite in accordance with the invention overcomes shortcomings of kites heretofore available in kit form and particularly in providing adjustments for accommodation to various wind velocities.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the invention a kite is provided available in kit form for easy assembly and disassembly, the kite being of generally circular shape, when assembled, and including a frame whose components are dowels, plastic tubing connectors and cord braces, a cover for the frame provided with snap fasteners and an adjustable bridle for controlling the inclination of the kite in use, the bridle including a bridle lock with a leader to which the kite string is attached.

It is the principal object of the invention to provide a kite of simple but sturdy construction which is adapted for quick and easy assembly and disassembly, and for quick and easy adjustment to accommodate different wind conditions.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a kite having a frame with a fabric cover detachably mounted thereon.

It is a further object ofthe invention tp provide a kite of generally circular shape having a frame and a cover thereon and an improved adjustable bridle construction for accommodation of tilting of the kite to the existing wind conditions at the time of flight.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved kite of simple construction and with a stabilizing tail capable of change for accommodation to the existing wind conditions at the time of flight.

Other objects and advantageous features of the invention will be apparent from the description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The nature and characteristic features of the invention will be more readily understood from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming part hereof, in which:

FIG. 1 is a view in elevation of the kite in flight;

FIG. 2 is a rear elevational view, enlarged, of the kite of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view in elevation, still further enlarged, showing the central guy attachment disc and its connections;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view, enlarged, partly in section and partly in elevation, taken at the location 4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a transverse sectional view, enlarged, taken approximately on the line 5-5 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of a preferred form of bridle lock;

FIG..7 is an exploded perspective view of the bridle lock shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a view in elevation showing a portion of the kite tail with a removable wind drogue; and

FIG. 9 is a view in elevation showing details of a suitable tail construction.

It should, of course, be understood that the description and drawings herein are illustrative merely and that various modifications and changes can be made in the structure disclosed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now more particularly to the drawings, in which a preferred embodiment of the invention is disclosed, the kite there illustrated comprises a peripheral frame 10 composed preferably of four hardwood dowels or rods 11, preferably bent into a circular shape, although other shapes could be provided by preforming the rods 11 to a different shape. The ends of the rods 11 are joined and normally held in. assembled relation by short lengths 12 of plastic tubing in overlapped relation to the contiguous endsof the dowels l1. Strips 12a of adhesive tape can be applied for additional retention. The peripheral frame 10 is braced by an internal framework consisting of nylon guy line cords 13, secured to a central guy line attachment disc 14 and extending radially outwardly with spaced knots 15 for selective engagement for adjustment in slots 16 of cord holders 17. The cord holders 17 are secured by cords 18 to the peripheral frame 10.

In assembling the peripheral frame 10, and if desired, one or more inserts 20 may be employed to increase the circumferential length of the frame 10 to aid in obtaining the desired degree of tautness of the cover 25.

The cover is preferably of waterproof sheet material, including textile fabric, and preferably impervious or substantially impervious, of adequate strength to re sist rips or tearing, and light in weight so as not to require a high wind velocity for the kite to be airborne.

The marginal edge 26 of the cover is stitched as at 27, or if of heat scalable material can have the edge 26 turned and heat sealed oniitself to avoid splitting or tearing inwardly at the edge 26.

In order to secure the cover 25 in place on the peripheral frame 10 a plurality of snaps 28, 28a of plastic and of the glove fastener type can be provided along placed in condition for use. The peripheral frame EIOisI assembled with the endsof the rods 11 within the tubes eral frame 10. A central bridle cord 34 is secured to the central disc 14 at a central opening 36.

A bridle lock. is provided preferably consisting of t an outer tube 41, an intermediate tube 42 and an inner I plug 43, of synthetic plastic or other light weight material in telescoping or nesting relation for gripping engagemcnt with the bridle cords 31 and 34 with a double locking action. I I

The bridle cords 31 and 34 are preferably disposed within the interior ofthe intermediate tube/l2, prior to insertion of the plug 43 into gripping engagementwith the tube 42 and folded back over the exterior of the 4 tube 42 and the outer tube 41 brought to andforced into gripping engagement therewith.

Prior to the assembly of the bridle lock 40, the cord 34 is adjusted so as to be under slight tension and the. respective lengths of the cords 31 are adjusted to.im-

part to the frame 10*and the. cover 25 thereon the desired inclination in accordance with the prevailing wind velocity.

The intermediate tube 42 can have a circumferential i rib 42a to facilitate handling and to serve as'a limit stop for the tube 41. The plug 43 preferably has a shoulder 43a which may serve as stop, and has a central opening 43b for a bridle lock leader 45 which canhave an end.

terminal knot 45a br can be secured to the plug 43 any other desired manner. The leader 45 extends a through the interiors of the tubes 41 and 42 with a loop I A stabilizing tail is preferablyprovided made of strips 51 of light weight waterproof material which may be the same as or may be different from the materialof the cover 25. r I I The tail'SO preferably includes two similar upper tail sections 52, connected at their upper ends to the peripheral frame 10 preferably below the center'by open i I and close fasteners 53. The'lower ends of the tail sections 52 are preferably connected belowthe frame lfi and can be tied together at their junction with a lower tail section 54 by a knot 55 to provide a Y-shapedtail.

The lower tail section 54 is preferably made of interlocking pieces 56 (see FIG. 9) which may be added or I removed as desired to provide a suitable length. 4 In order to enhance the action of the tail 50 aremov-.

able wind drogue 50 shaped in the form of an open ended frusto-conical cup can be detachably secured to the upper tail sections 52 above the junction by snapg fasteners 128 similar to the fasteners 28, 28a.

The drogue 58 is preferably made of somewhat stiff nylon, or of other suitableisheet material.

The' drag'imparted by the drogue 58 assists in maintaining the proper position of the kite during flying. Ad- I I ditional small drogues 59 can be removably mounted in the lower tail 'section '54, as desired, and depending upon windconditio'ns, the weight of the kite and the position of tlie bridle.

The mod' of u'se' will be clearfrom the foregoin g but may be'siim-ma zed' briefly. v

The'kit'efif in disassembled form, can bereadily l2, and secured by the strips 12a. The guy lines 13, attached at the center to the attachement disc 14 are connected to the cord holders 17 so as to be taut but not so tight as to distort the peripheral frame 11.

The cover 25 is mounted on the peripheral frame and secured in place yy the fasteners 28, 28a.

The bridle cords 31 and 34, are attached to the frame 10 and extended to the bridle lock 40 where they are inserted, adjusted to the desired lengths and locked in place by the outer tube 41 and plug 43, and the bands 49 engaged over the serrations 48 to retain the bridle lock 40 in locked position.

The kite string 46 can then be attached to the loop 45b of the leader 45.

The tail 50, or such parts thereof as are desired, is attached and the kite is ready to fly.

Upon completion of a flight, if desired, the kite can be disassembled by a reversal of the procedure heretofore described for assembly, and can be readily stored in compact condition in a carrying case (not shown).

The bridle cords 31 and 34 can be readily readjusted if desired and the characteristic of the tail 50 can be varied by increasing or decreasing the length, or by. the addition or removal of drogues 58 and/or 59.

I claim:

1. A kite for flying on a cord comprising a rigid peripheral frame in a plane,

radially extending guy lines connected in tension to a central attachment member and to the peripheral frame,

a cover detaehably carried on said frame in the plane of the frame,

a bridle comprising a plurality of bridle cords connected to said frame at spaced locations and a central bridle cord connected to said central attachment member,

a bridle lock having separable portions in engagement with said bridle cords and with respect to which said cords are simultaneously adjustable for retention at selected lengths for varying the inclination of said frame and cover, and v a leader connected to said bridle lock for attachment of the kite string.

2. A kite as defined in claim 1 in which said peripheral frame comprises a plurality of rods with their ends connected by tubes. 3. A kite as defined in claim 2 in which members are provided for varying the adjustment of the tension in said guy lines. 4. A kite as defined in claim 3 in which said last mentioned members comprise cord holders. 5. A kite as defined in claim 1 in which detachable snap fasteners are provided on said cover for retaining said cover on said frame. 6. A kite as defined in claim 1 in which said bridle lock comprises an outer tube, an intermediate tube in telescoping relation to said outer tube, an inner tubular member in telescoping relation to said intermediate tube, said bridle cords being disposed respectively between said inner tubular member and said inter mediate tube and between said intermediate tube and said outertube, and retaining members retaining said tubes and tubular members in holding engagement with said bridle cords.

7. A kite as defined in claim 1 in which said peripheral frame is substantially circular in shape. 8. A kite as defined in claim 1 in which said bridle lock comprises a plurality of telescoped members in frictional engagement with said bridle cords and retained in position by said frictional engagement. 9. A kite as defined in claim 1 in which said bridle lock comprises a plurality of telescoping members between at least two of which said bridle cords are held in frictional engagement and retained in adjusted positions by said frictional engagement. 10. A kite as defined in claim 1 in which said bridle lock comprises a plurality of telescoping members between which said bridle cords are held in frictional engagement, and resilient members are provided retaining said telescoping members with said cords in adjusted positions. 

1. A kite for flying on a cord compriSing a rigid peripheral frame in a plane, radially extending guy lines connected in tension to a central attachment member and to the peripheral frame, a cover detachably carried on said frame in the plane of the frame, a bridle comprising a plurality of bridle cords connected to said frame at spaced locations and a central bridle cord connected to said central attachment member, a bridle lock having separable portions in engagement with said bridle cords and with respect to which said cords are simultaneously adjustable for retention at selected lengths for varying the inclination of said frame and cover, and a leader connected to said bridle lock for attachment of the kite string.
 2. A kite as defined in claim 1 in which said peripheral frame comprises a plurality of rods with their ends connected by tubes.
 3. A kite as defined in claim 2 in which members are provided for varying the adjustment of the tension in said guy lines.
 4. A kite as defined in claim 3 in which said last mentioned members comprise cord holders.
 5. A kite as defined in claim 1 in which detachable snap fasteners are provided on said cover for retaining said cover on said frame.
 6. A kite as defined in claim 1 in which said bridle lock comprises an outer tube, an intermediate tube in telescoping relation to said outer tube, an inner tubular member in telescoping relation to said intermediate tube, said bridle cords being disposed respectively between said inner tubular member and said intermediate tube and between said intermediate tube and said outer tube, and retaining members retaining said tubes and tubular members in holding engagement with said bridle cords.
 7. A kite as defined in claim 1 in which said peripheral frame is substantially circular in shape.
 8. A kite as defined in claim 1 in which said bridle lock comprises a plurality of telescoped members in frictional engagement with said bridle cords and retained in position by said frictional engagement.
 9. A kite as defined in claim 1 in which said bridle lock comprises a plurality of telescoping members between at least two of which said bridle cords are held in frictional engagement and retained in adjusted positions by said frictional engagement.
 10. A kite as defined in claim 1 in which said bridle lock comprises a plurality of telescoping members between which said bridle cords are held in frictional engagement, and resilient members are provided retaining said telescoping members with said cords in adjusted positions. 